Really want to break into the 600s but good lord this is one hard test.

Yup, it's way harder than jlpt1. I was acing the prep books but still only got level one when I took it last year. Was hoping for 1+.

What makes it harder than N1? Is there a writing section or something?

It's more difficult linguistically and requires a fairly extensive background in business to get a decent score. There's no writing section.

I thought that test ceased to exist? Or was that something else?

It was reinstated soon after being cancelled, probably because of high attendance at the supposed final test. It did go on hiatus for awhile I think though.

Pretty sure I lowered my score - terrible time management in the reading section

I thinking of taking this test in June.
It's probably going to require a somewhat expensive trip, so if I'm going to take it I want to aim for as high a score as possible i.e. J1 or J1+
Has anyone who's taken it before got any tips on preparing for the test?